Teen kills 4 people, only get probation. WTF!!!

Just heard about the story of Ethan Couch. He’s a 16 year old boy who decided to steal beer from a Walmart, get drunk, drive while being 3 times over the legal limit, and ran over (and killed) 4 people. He also injured 2 of his friends that were in the back of his pickup. One suffered a brain injury and can no longer walk or talk.

He received only 10 years of probation and is currently in a comfy rehab facility in California (that costs $37,000 a month, all paid by daddy). All because he was diagnosed, by a wack psychologist, as having “affluenza”. Which is a completely bullshit, made up condition that basically allows super rich people to get away with anything because “they have always gotten what they want” or “they’ve never been told no”. In other words, you’re a spoiled fucking brat and you’re allowed to get away with murder.

@IzzyBear: killed four people and only PROBATION?! WTF??!!! Wonder how much the judge/jury got paid to pass down that sentence…. “Oh it’s ok, you’re rich and don’t know any better, just probation and a comfortable life for you!” What happened to justice?!

ETA: and they say it’s because his parents taught him that wealth buys privilege, what does giving him probation instead of jail do then?! It only enforces that!! He will now learn that being wealthy means you can do pretty much anything you want, instead of learning consequences! Well done American justice system, well done.

yeah, it really makes me sad that the victim’s families essentially had their hearts broken all over again. And the poor kid that lived but will never be able to walk or talk again…I can only imagine how much that verdict hurt.

I was waiting for someone to post about this. I was in shock when I read about it this morning. It’s disgusting what young people are being “taught” today. Where is the accountability for your actions? If they are not suffering consequences in a COURT after essentially KILLING four people, what the hell kind of rehabilitation could make them see they will be held accountable for their actions?!

I honestly have no words about this. I get so angry just thinking about it.

Besides stating the obvious – that the way to teach a child about consequences and being held responsible for their actions, isn’t by not giving them any consequences.

It is truly sickening. Given his age, I would *almost* understand giving him a lighter sentence, but still a sentence that required jail time. The kid doesn’t need rehab, he isn’t an alcoholic, he’s a stupid kid that made a bad choice. I’d rather they blamed it on the lack of a fully formed brain at 16 then affluence. I recognize the role affluence plays in the whole thing, but it’s not an excuse and there’s no such thing as affluenza.

If this was my kid, I’d be throwing them in jail myself if I could. He didn’t just crash into someone and break someone’s leg or give them some bumps and bruises, he killed them. I don’t even understand what the hell this judge was thinking, other then he was paid off.

I don’t really know that this is an outrage to me. He’s only 16. He cannot get into any more trouble for the next ten years without facing jail time. It’s also entirely possible that he does have a heart and will carry the weight of this around for the rest of his life.

I drove intoxicated between the ages of 16-20 many, many times. I never hit anyone. That’s the only thing separating me from this boy. It’s hard to feel self-righteous indignation. Flushing his life down the tubes via 20 years in prison (what the prosecution was asking for) won’t bring back the people he killed.

My tune would change if there was documented court proceedings showing that he had no remorse or didn’t take this seriously. And, of course, if I was a family member of the victims. Sensitivity to them is important, but it doesn’t always make the best justice.

I will say that he should have gotten at least 2 years in a juvenile detention facility, but I do not agree with the 20 years the prosecution was asking for.

ETA: I think it’s important to separate this kid from his parents’ behavior and the psychologist who came up with “affluenza.” He’s not the one who designed his defense or paid anyone off. I also think the article states that he is not going home to his family after rehab.

I saw the article this morning and was in disbelief. The court pretty much set a precedent that any youth who comes from wealth isn’t responsible for their actions because they’re able to have whatever they want financially and don’t hear the word no. Are you joking me? I am completely outraged for the families of those that were killed or injured. The only thing I could think after reading that was how much did the judge get paid.